Nur Alem (EXPO 2017)
Нұр Әлем
The main pavilion of the 2017 World Expo: a giant glass sphere about 80 metres across with eight exhibition floors showcasing future energy and space technology.
Nur Alem (meaning 'Bright World') was Kazakhstan's national pavilion at the 2017 Astana World Expo, whose theme was 'Future Energy'. Designed by the US firm AS+GG Architects, it is a giant glass sphere about 80 metres in diameter and roughly 100 metres high, regarded as one of the largest spherical buildings in the world. After the Expo it became the Museum of Future Energy, spread over eight floors that are visited from top to bottom. The top floor has an observation deck and a skywalk with a glass floor, overlooking the entire Expo site and the new city. Below are exhibition zones on space energy, solar, wind, bioenergy, hydropower, kinetic energy and more, with many interactive installations and VR experiences; the ground floor introduces Kazakhstan. The Expo site is now home to the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), and the surrounding area has shopping centres and a musical fountain. Admission: adults approx. 3,000–5,000 tenge (check on site). Getting there: about 5 km south of the city centre; a taxi takes about 10–15 minutes, and there is a light rail station nearby. Allow 2 hours; well suited to families with children.
Opening hours
Approx. 10:00–20:00 (closed Mondays; check official site)
Nearby sights
- Astana Botanical Garden
- Astana Grand Mosque
- Nur-Astana Mosque
- Baiterek Tower
- Kazakhstan Central Concert Hall
- Nurzhol Boulevard
- Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center
- Astana Opera